What you actually get
The boat: 20–35m, 4–8 cabins each with private en-suite, A/C, mini-fridge, deck cushions, swim platform, two tenders (one for snorkelling, one for water-skiing). The crew: captain, chef (typically Turkish, often classically trained, deeply talented with mezze and grilled fish), deckhand, hostess. The route is built with you on day one and adjusted daily based on weather and what you've enjoyed.
Two classic routes
The Bodrum peninsula loop (4–7 nights): Bodrum harbour → Yalikavak → Karaada → Akyarlar → Cleopatra Beach (Sedir Island) → Orak → back to Bodrum. Calmest waters, shortest sails, ideal for first-timers. The Gocek wide loop (7–10 nights): Bodrum → Datca peninsula → Marmaris → Ekincik → Gocek's 12 islands. Wilder, more dramatic, often combined with a Greek-island custom stop at Kos or Symi.
What it costs in 2026
Boat-only charter prices, full week, low-to-high season: 8-passenger gulet £14,000–28,000 per week. 12-passenger £22,000–48,000. Premium teak-decked 16-passenger £45,000–80,000. Add running costs (fuel, harbour fees, food and drink): £80–140 per person per day, paid as a single end-of-week settlement. 7-night peak-season family charter therefore lands £25,000–55,000 all-in for 8 people.
When to charter
Late May, June, and September are our preferred windows. The meltemi wind is settled, the sea is 22–26°C, and the best chefs are well into their season. Avoid August unless you must — the boats are at peak cost, the popular anchorages get crowded, and afternoon meltemi can be 25–30 knots. May and October are bargains but cooler water.
How we choose the boat
We've personally inspected every boat we book. We rate on five things: build year (we don't book pre-2010 hulls), engine and generator hours (well-maintained matters more than new), captain's reputation (the captain makes or breaks the week), chef's training, and crew turnover (low turnover = good captain). We send you 3–5 candidate boats for any week with photos, sample menus, and our notes.